Tampa Bay Buccaneers filling out coaching staff, add Leslie Frazier

January 4, 2014 · No Comments

By Eric Schmidt

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that Lovie Smith was hired as the franchise’s 10th head coach two days ago, and the team is wasting no time in filling out the roster of coaching assistants. Smith tabbed former University of California head coach Jeff Tedford as the team’s offensive coordinator and reports surfaced Friday night regarding the team’s decision on a defensive coordinator. Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier.

Many reports had circulated stating that Lovie Smith was focused on Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Rod Marinelli. Marinelli and Smith have a long history together, but the Cowboys would not allow him out of his contract. Frazier and Smith have deep ties as well and the former Vikings head coach brings experience running a defense to Tampa. From 2008-2010, Frazier guided the Vikings defense to finish in the top 10 squads in the league in each of the three years he was the coordinator.

While Tedford has no NFL experience, the combination of Frazier and Smith gives the Buccaneers perhaps the most experienced coaching staff in NFL franchise history with the duo combining for more than 100 NFL career wins.

General manager remains a position of need for the Buccaneers as well. Many outlets are reporting that Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard is on the team’s radar. The Chiefs experienced a massive turnaround this season, going from the worse team in the NFL in 2012 to playing in a wildcard game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.